Packing crate for sheets or the like



25, 1959 J. w. MOCRACKEN 2,901,102-

PACKING CRATE FOR SHEETS OR THELLIKE Filed April 12, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 l4 F l G 3 1 l8 l9 WM 7 Lfifixf 2% 2 A 5 11 2 I 25 INVENTOR m JAMES w. MGCRACKEN MuM Aug. 25, 1959 J. w. McCRACKEN PACKING CRATE FOR SHEETS 0R THEMLIKE Filed April 12, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.7.

35 INVENTOR JAMES W. M CRACKEN Aug. 25, 1959 J. w. M CRACKEN 2,901,102

PACKING CRATE F'OR SHEETS 0R THE LIKE Filed April 12, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 F|G.IO.

INVENTOR JAMES W M CRACKEN fies Patented Aug. 25,, 1959 PACKING CRATE FOR SHEETS OR THE LIKE James W. McCracken, Leechburg, Pa.

Application April 12, 1956, Serial No. 577,853

3 Claims. (Cl. 206-60) This invention relates to a packing crate for sheets or the like. More particularly, this invention relates to new packing crates for heavy materials such as metal sheets or the like, such crates having a lesser weight and lower cost for equivalent strength and further being capable of being reused.

Heretofore, domestic shipments of heavy materials such as steel sheets having a high-grade finish have usually entailed the use of a crate of wood entirely surrounding the stack of sheets packed therein. Inasmuch as. some sheets are as large as 4 feet by 10 feet in dimension, the quantity of lumber used and the expense thereof have been considerable. In addition, in view of weight limits on shipments of such character, the greater the weight of the crate, the less the weight of the contents in the form of sheets or the like that could be packed therein. Moreover, at destination, such crates were opened in the course of which much of the lumber in them became unuseable for further such crating purposes. In the case of export shipments, it was a common practice to enclose such a prior wooden crate in steel plates, thereby augmenting the expense and tare of such prior practices.

Such and other deficiencies of prior practices are overcome in new packing crates of my invention and other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, which are illustrative only, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a platform base utilizable in one embodiment of a new packing crate of my invention;

Figure 2 is a view of one embodiment of my new packing crates utilizing a platform base such as is shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view taken along line IIIIII of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view taken along line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view of a modified embodiment of a packing crate made in accordance with my invention;

Figure 6 is a detailed view of one portion of my new crate of Figure 5 in the course of assembly;

Figure 7 is a view taken along line VIIVII of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a view taken along line VIII-VIII of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the new crate of Figure 5, fully loaded, with the corner thereof opened to show one packing arrangement therein;

Figure 10 illustrates a number of frames, from packing crates made in accordance with Figure 5, nested and stacked for return to a shipping point for reuse; and

Figure 11 shows a number of frames, from packing crates made in accordance with Figure 2, nested and stacked on a platform base for return to a shipping point for reuse.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, one embodiment 10 there illustrated of my new packing crates may be used, for example, in domestic shipments. Therein, a platform base 11 is provided comprising longi- 5 laterally outer ends of the crossplates 14 extending beyond the ends of the bottom crosspieces 13 in the illus trated embodiment as shown in Figure 3. Such crosspieces may be placed at each end of base 11 and across the center of the length of the base with considerable saving in quantity of lumber and expense over prior practices. Blocks 15 are attached to the middles of the bottom crosspieces 13, inclusive of the plates 14, the top surface of the blocks 15 being substantially in the plane of the top surfaces of the rails 12. The dimension of base 11 in plan substantially corresponds to the dimensions of sheets 17 or the like to be packed in crate 10.

The new crate 10 includes a frame 16 to enclose contents 17 which is supported upon base 11. In the embodiment being described, that frame 16 may comprise a bottom cover 18 preferably in the form, for example, of a single sheet of fiberboard such as Upson board, the outer face 19 of which may be made weather and water resistant, or weather and waterproof, as desired, and of any color that may be desired. An upper cover 20 may likewise be made of such a fiberboard and its top surface may similarly be treated against weather and water intrusion to protect the contents 17. Again, if desired, surface 21 may be of a desired color attractive to the eye and may have such advertising or other indicia thereon as may be desired by the shipper, or the receiver, or both. In the case of more expensive finishes on the sheets in contents 17, separator papers between the sheets may be used and a stack of sheets comprising such contents 17 may be Wrapped in a protective thin paper or plastic envelope, or cocoon, if wished, before the placement thereof in crate 10.

The sides of frame 16 with contents 17 in place are closed by the use of angle cornerpieces 22, preferably in the form of angle extensions joined at the corner intersection 23 and extending at to each other. Each angle extension of each cornerpiece 22 is provided with a horizontal flange 24 and a vertical flange 25. In use, the cornerpieces at each of the four corners of crate 10 overlap the adjoining cornerpieces intermediate the aforesaid corners with the result that a predetermination of the maximum and minimum amount of such overlap will enable any shipper thereby to accommodate a range of sizes of sheets to be shipped without stocking custommade crates. Instead, by the use of my new crate, different lengths and widths of sheets, and difierent thicknesses of contents 17 can be provided utilizing standardized cornerpieces 22 made in accordance with my invention; in conjunction with a base 11 and covers like covers 18 and 20 corresponding in size to the particular sheet contents to be shipped at the time being.

Such overlap of the cornerpieces 22 is shown in Figure 2 where cornerpieces 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d completely enclose the sides of the crate 10 and hold the covers 18 and 20 and the contents 17 in place when the crate is completed and hand strapped. The side angle extension 22ers overlaps, as shown, the side angle extension 22ds of cornerpiece 22d. Likewise, the end angle extension 22416 of cornerpiece 22a is in overlapping relation to the end angle extension 22122 of cornerpiece 22b whereas the end angle extension 22cc of cornerpiece 220 is in overlapping relation to the end angle extension 22de of cornerpiece 22d. It is substantially immaterial which angle extension of any cornerpiece overlaps or is overlapped by the cooperating angle extension along the same end or side of the crate 10. Such cornerpieces may be mild steel so that when the package is complete, before or after banding, nails 26 may be driven through the vertical flanges into the base 11.

In addition, longitudinal banding strips 27 are used to bind frame 16 to base 11, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bands being held by clips 28. The oifsetting of the rails 12 laterally outwardly of the ends of bottom crosspieces 13 will, as shown in Figure 3, keep the lower reach of the bands 27 oif the ground or other support on which the completed crate 10 may rest and also enable longitudinal slings or lift hooks to lift the completed crate 10 with contents 17 therein by the ends or sides. The banding may be completed by the use of a crossband 29 held by a clip 30 extending across the top of crate 10 and down the sides and underneath the bottom of the center bottom crosspiece 13, which, if desired, may be provided with an upwardly extending recess or groove to keep the bottom reach of band 29 also off the ground. When loaded, crate 10 may be lifted by the middle or ends by lifting forks, hooks or slings passed therebeneath. The strength of a loaded crate 10 is such that it can be so lifted either in flat position or on edge, without breakage or detriment to its contents despite the vastly lighter weight of its frame and base which means that the weight of the contents 17 therein can be correspondingly greater in making up a package of maximum shipping weight.

Moreover, when a loaded crate 10 is received at destination, it can be stored in any position and when it is desired to open it, it may, if desired, be partially opened as by removal of the cornerpieces 22a and 22b, whereupon one sheet at a time of the contents 17 may be withdrawn as needed by the purchaser. When crate 10 is empty, it, in conjunction with the frames of other such crates, may have coverpieces 31 similar to coverpieces 13 and 20 stacked as shown in Figure 11 and cornerpieces 32 similar to cornerpieces 22 nested and stacked around each side of the stack 31, all of which may be placed on a base 11, longitudinally and crossbanded by banding strips for return to the shipper for reuse. Other bases like base 11 may be broken up by the receiver or may be palletized and also returned to the shipper, dependent upon the relation of handling and transportation charges in so doing to the cost of new bases.

In a modified embodiment of my invention shown in Figure to 9, inclusive, parts corresponding generally in structure and functioning to parts illustrated in connection with the embodiment set forth in Figures 1 to 4 hereof, are provided with the same reference numerals with the addition of a prime factor thereto. The modified embodiment, as shown, may be used for export shipments and differs in a number of ways from the first illustrated embodiment. Thus, in the modification, the cornerpieces 22 are utilized as upper cornerpieces in cooperation with like inverted or lower cornerpieces 22". The lower cornerpieces 22" in relation to each other along the sides and ends of the crate respectively overlap as do the upper cornerpieces 22' except that the horizontal flanges 22"hf of the cornerpieces 22" extend underneath the edges of the bottom cover 18 as shown in Figure 8 around the entire bottom edge of cover 18. Further, the vertical flanges 22'vf of the angle extensions of the lower cornerpieces 22" are in overlapping relation relative to the vertical flanges of the upper cornerpieces 22. Thereby, the covers 18 and and the sheet contents 17 therebetween in crate 10', are bound at the edge around the entire periphery of crate 10' in a C-shaped metal frame edge of adjustable length, width and height by virtue of the overlapping interrelations among the respective cornerpieces 22' and 22". Still further, for export use, the bottom of cover 18' may be protected by a thin steel closure sheet 33 while a top or upper closure sheet 34 may be placed against surface 21'. The edges of such closure sheets 33 and 34 are also held inside by the respective horizontal flanges of the angle extensions of the lower cornerpieces 22" and upper cornerpieces 22' respectively. Where shipping requirements do not rei quire it, the metal closure sheets 33 and 34 may be omitted without loss of new results and advantages inuring to my invention.

In addition, the new crate 10' may be utilized without any base corresponding to base 11. Instead, longitudinal rails 12' may be provided and held against the underside of the frame of crate 10', inclusive of the cornerpieces 22' and 22", by longitudinally extending bands 27'. Such bands along the lower reaches thereof may fit into upwardly extending grooves 35 so that when a loaded crate 10 is at rest in a flat position, the bands 27 will not be against the supporting surface. Prior to fixing the longitudinal bands 27 in place, crossbands 29' may be laid across the top of rails 12 and drawn tight, the crossbands 29 intermediate the center and ends of crate 10 generally being desirable in the case of larger export shipments which often run to greater weight of contents 17'. Thereafter, the longitudinal bands 27' may be drawn tight and held by the clips 28 to bind crate 10 longitudinally and hold rails 12' against the underside thereof.

In the course of constructing and loading a crate 10, the rails 12 may be placed on a flat surface with all of the band straps open, the longitudinal band straps 27' r being in alignment with the grooves 35 and the open crossbands 29' ends being out to each side of the rails 12. In the case of the open centerband 29, a thin steel strip 36 may be placed thereon and provided with upturned ends 37, the distance between such ends being the distance between the side angle extensions of the lower cornerpieces 22". Thereupon, lower cornerpieces 22" may be placed in position with the strip 36 and ends 37 keeping overlapping ends of the side angle extensions of the lower cornerpieces 22" in cooperating position. Thereupon, any lower closure sheet 33 and a lower cover 18' can be placed in position. In the case of an export shipment, a thin protective plastic or paper sheet 38 may be positioned between the members 33 and 18', as shown in Figure 9. With cover 18' in place, the steel sheet contents 17' can then be stacked in loading position whereupon cover 20" and upper thin protective sheet 38' and any upper closure sheet 34 are put in the respective positions shown. The edges of the sheets 38 and 38' are folded over one another whereupon the vertical flanges of the lower cornerpieces 22" are tapped to a position snug against the edges of the covers and sheets. Thereupon, the upper cornerpieces 22 are positioned in overlapping relation around all of the edges of crate 10 and the crossbands 29 drawn tight and fastened in holding position bythe clips 30'. At that point, the longitudinal bands 27 may be drawn tight and fastened in holding position by the clips 28'. It will be realized that a number of differences and changes in the sequence of construction and loading of a crate of my invention may be made by anyone engaging in a practice of my invention.

The frames of crates like crate 10 may be returned from their destination for reuse in a package such as that illustrated in Figure 10 hereof, with the cornerpieces nested in plural thicknesses and in overlapping relation around the sides and ends defined by the edges of covers 39 inclusive of any closure sheets, the return package being longitudinally and transversely handed to hold the parts being returned together until they reach the shipper for reuse by him in the making of further crates pursuant to this invention.

Various modifications and changes may be made in aspects of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a packing crate for sheets or the like, in combination, a rectangular frame having substantailly the plan dimensions of said sheets or the like, said frame being adjustable in length, width and height, a rectangular open platform base for said frame, said base having horizontal bounding rails and horizontal crosspieces fastened to the bottom of said rails, the ends of said crosspieces terminating inwardly of the outside of said rails, blocks on said orosspieces extending upwardly to the-plane of the top of said rails, a plurality of rigid sheet metal cornerpieces having angle extensions at 90 from each other joined at the corner of each of said cornerpieces respectively, upper and lower covers for said sheets or the like having substantially the plan dimensions thereof, said lower cover fitting said platform base, the horizontal portion of the edges of said upper cover being underneath the horizontal flanges of said cornerpieces in position on the respective corners of said crate, thevertical flanges of said cornerpieces covering the vertical edges of said covers and said Sheets or the like, said vertical flanges overlapping the sides of said platform base, the angle extensions of said respective cornerpieces in said crate being in overlapping relation around the sides and ends and intermediate the corners thereof, and tape means for binding together said cornerpieces, covers and base with said sheets or the like therein, said means at least in part being around said rails outwardly of said ends of said crosspieces.

2. In a packing crate for sheets or the like, in combination, a rectangular frame having substantially the dimensions of said sheet, a rectangular open platform base of said frame including longitudinally extending wooden rails and connecting bottom crosspieces, the outer sides of said rails being outwardly of said crosspieces, a plurality of relatively rigid cornerpieces comprising the corners, ends and sides of said frame, said cornerpieces being rightangled in plan and in vertical section, the sides of said cornerpieces extending in overlapping relation to the sides :of adjoining cornerpieces respectively, the vertical flanges of said cornerpieces at each corner of said frame being :in overlapping relation to define the outside of a packing space for sheets or the like in said frame, said aforementioned overlapping being intermediate the corners of said cornerpieces, said vertical flanges further overlapping the ends and sides of said base, the horizontal flanges of said cornerpieces extending inwardly, rectangular sheets of cover material at the top and bottom of said packing space, the edges of said cover material being inside said horizontal flanges of said cornerpieces, and means to fasten together said frame and base with said sheets or the like packed therein, said means at least in part being around said rails outwardly of said crosspieces.

3. In a packing crate for sheets or the like, in combination, a rectangular frame having substantially the dimen sions of said sheets or the like, a base for said frame comprising longitudinally extending rails, a plurality of upper and lower rigid sheet metal cornerpieces defining each corner and the sides and ends of said frame, said upper and lower cornerpieces being right-angled in plan and in section, the sides of said cornerpieces extending in adjustable overlapping relation to the sides of adjoining cornerpieces, the vertical flanges of said upper and lower cornerpieces at adjoining corners of said frame being in overlapping relation respectively to define the edges of a contents space for said sheets or the like, said overlappings being intermediate the corners of said cornerpieces, the horizontal flanges of said cornerpieces extending inwardly to define an adjustable C-shaped section around the perimeter of said frame, rectangular sheets of cover material at the top and bottom of said space, the edges of said cover material being held in place in a completed crate by said horizontal flanges of said cornerpieces respectively, lateral banding means longitudinally spaced to bind together the sides of said crate, the lower reach of said lateral banding means extending around said cornerpieces and above said base, longitudinal banding means laterally spaced to bind together the ends of said crate, and upwardly extending groove means for said longitudinal banding means in said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,445,762 Gerrard et a1. Feb. 20, 1923 2,064,383 Porter Dec. 15, 1936 2,631,723 Ellsworth Mar. 17, 1953 2,661,838 McCracken Dec. 8, 1953 2,675,123 Baird Apr. 13, 1954 2,761,556 Yardley Sept. 4, 1956 

